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###### Department of Education

# AGENCY:

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Department of Education.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice inviting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2021 for the American History and Civics Education National Activities (AHC-NA) Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.422B. This notice relates to the approved information collection under OMB 1894-0006.

# DATES:

*Applications Available:*                         July 19, 2021.                    

*Pre-Application Webinars:*                         The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education intends to post pre-recorded informational webinars designed to provide technical assistance to interested applicants for grants under the AHC-NA program. These informational webinars will be available on the AHC-NA web page shortly after this notice is published in the                         **Federal Register**                         at                         *https://oese.ed.gov/​offices/​office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/​effective-educator-development-programs/​national-activities-grant/​.*

*Note:*                         For potential grantees new or unfamiliar with grantmaking at the Department, please consult our funding basics resource at                         *www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101-basics.pdf*                         or a more detailed resource at                         *www2.ed.gov/​documents/​funding-101/​funding-101.pdf.*

*Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply:*                         August 18, 2021.                    

*Deadline for Transmittal of Applications:*                         August 18, 2021.                    

*Deadline for Intergovernmental Review:*                         October 4, 2021.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the                         **Federal Register**                         on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768), and available at                         *www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Christine Miller, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3C152, Washington, DC 20202-5960. Telephone: (202) 260-7350. Email:                         *Christine.Miller@ed.gov.*

If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS), toll free, at 1-800-877-8339.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Full Text of Announcement

## I. Funding Opportunity Description

*Purpose of Program:*                     The purpose of this program is to promote new and existing evidence-based strategies to encourage innovative American history, civics and government, and geography instruction, learning strategies, and professional development activities and programs for teachers, principals, or other school leaders, particularly such instruction, strategies, activities, and programs that benefit students from low-income backgrounds and other underserved populations.                

*Background:*                     The AHC-NA Program seeks to promote evidence-based approaches that encourage innovative American history and civics education. In particular, the program seeks to promote strategies, activities, and programs that benefit students from low-income backgrounds and other underserved populations. This program is authorized under section 2233 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).                

This competition includes one absolute priority, one competitive preference priority, and two invitational priorities. Consistent with section 2233 of the ESEA, the absolute priority addresses innovative instruction or professional development in American history, civics and government, and geography, and the competitive preference priority encourages applicants to propose projects that incorporate the use of hands-on civic engagement activities for teachers and students or programs that educate students about the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

                    The Department continues to process, review, and fully respond to the significant number of public comments received in response to the notice of proposed priorities published in the                     **Federal Register**                     on April 19, 2021 (86 FR 20348) (NPP). As a result, it is not possible to issue a notice of final priorities in time to use the priorities included in that NPP as competitive preference priorities for this FY 2021 competition. Because the Department has not yet issued final priorities, we are using these proposed priorities as invitational priorities. Consistent with the use of invitational priorities across grant competitions, applicants are not required to respond to the invitational priorities, and applications that meet invitational priorities do not receive a preference or competitive advantage over other applications.                

The Department believes that teaching and learning practices that reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students promote academic and social-emotional development for all groups of students. To that end, Invitational Priority 1 reinforces that American history and civics education programs can play an important role in supporting teaching and learning that reflects the depth and breadth of our Nation's diverse history and the vital role of diversity in our Nation's democracy. This can be accomplished, in part, through teaching and learning environments that provide students with a full and accurate understanding of our Nation's history, expose students to a range of important civics topics and equip them with the skills needed to fully participate in civic life, enable students to see themselves and their histories in the learning experience, and empower students by developing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Accordingly, Invitational Priority 1 encourages applicants to incorporate practices that reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students into teaching and learning and create inclusive, supportive, and identity-safe learning environments.

Invitational Priority 2 encourages applicants to foster information literacy skills, including critical thinking, and promote student engagement in civics education through professional development opportunities for teachers.

                    The Department fully recognizes and respects that curriculum decisions are made at the State and local levels, not by the Federal Government, and does not mandate, direct, or control curricula through this competition. Rather, the Department, through this competition, seeks to encourage efforts to implement more effective, student-centered teaching practices and professional development activities while promoting                           ( print page 38056)                        learning practices that reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students to support enriched educational opportunity, equity, and success for all students.                

*Priorities:*                     This notice contains one absolute priority, one competitive preference priority, and two invitational priorities. In accordance with 34 CFR 75.105(b)(2)(iv), the absolute priority is from section 2233(b)(1) of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 6663. The competitive preference priority is from section 2233(b)(2) of the ESEA.                

*Absolute Priority:*                     For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is an absolute priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(3), we consider only applications that meet this priority.                

This priority is:

*Innovative Instruction or Professional Development in American History, Civics and Government, and Geography*.                

Under this priority, we provide funding to projects that are designed to develop, implement, expand, evaluate, and disseminate for voluntary use, innovative, evidence-based approaches or professional development programs in American history, civics and government, and geography. To meet this priority, a project must—

(a) Show potential to improve the quality of teaching of and student achievement in American history, civics and government, or geography, in elementary schools and secondary schools; and

(b) Demonstrate innovation, scalability, accountability, and a focus on underserved populations.

*Competitive Preference Priority:*                     For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, this priority is a competitive preference priority. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(2)(i) we award up to an additional five points to an application, depending on how well the application meets this priority.                

This priority is:

*Innovative Activities for Civic Engagement.*                     (up to 5 points)                

Projects that include one or both of the following—

(a) Hands-on civic engagement activities for teachers and students; or

(b) Programs that educate students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights.

*Invitational Priorities:*                     For FY 2021 and any subsequent year in which we make awards from the list of unfunded applications from this competition, these priorities are invitational priorities. Under 34 CFR 75.105(c)(1) we do not give an application that meets these invitational priorities a competitive or absolute preference over other applications.                

These priorities are:

*Invitational Priority 1—Projects That Incorporate Racially, Ethnically, Culturally, and Linguistically Diverse Perspectives into Teaching and Learning*.                

Projects that incorporate teaching and learning practices that reflect the diversity, identities, histories, contributions, and experiences of all students and create inclusive, supportive, and identity-safe learning environments that—

(a) Take into account systemic marginalization, biases, inequities, and discriminatory policy and practice in American history;

(b) Incorporate racially, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse perspectives and perspectives on the experience of individuals with disabilities;

(c) Encourage students to critically analyze the diverse perspectives of historical and contemporary media and its impacts;

(d) Support the creation of learning environments that validate and reflect the diversity, identities, and experiences of all students; and

(e) Contribute to inclusive, supportive, and identity-safe learning environments. 

*Invitational Priority 2—Promoting Information Literacy Skills.*

Projects that foster critical thinking and promote student engagement in civics education through professional development or other activities designed to support students in—

(a) Evaluating sources and evidence using standards of proof;

(b) Understanding their own biases when reviewing information, as well as uncovering and recognizing bias in primary and secondary sources;

(c) Synthesizing information into cogent communications; and

(d) Understanding how inaccurate information may be used to influence individuals, and developing strategies to recognize accurate and inaccurate information.

*Definitions:*                     The following definitions apply to this competition. The definition of “evidence-based” is from section 8101 of the ESEA. The definitions of “demonstrates a rationale,” “experimental study,” “logic model,” “moderate evidence,” “project component,” “promising evidence,” “quasi-experimental design study,” “relevant outcome,” “strong evidence,” and “What Works Clearinghouse Handbooks” are from 34 CFR 77.1.                

*Demonstrates a rationale*                     means a key project component included in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve relevant outcomes.                

*Evidence-based*                     means an activity, strategy, or intervention that—                

(i) Demonstrates a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes or other relevant outcomes based on—

(A) Strong evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented experimental study;

(B) Moderate evidence from at least 1 well-designed and well-implemented quasi-experimental study; or

(C) Promising evidence from at least 1 well designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias; or

(ii)(A) Demonstrates a rationale based on high quality research findings or positive evaluation that such activity, strategy, or intervention is likely to improve student outcomes or other relevant outcomes; and

(B) Includes ongoing efforts to examine the effects of such activity, strategy, or intervention.

*Experimental study*                     means a study that is designed to compare outcomes between two groups of individuals (such as students) that are otherwise equivalent except for their assignment to either a treatment group receiving a project component or a control group that does not. Randomized controlled trials, regression discontinuity design studies, and single-case design studies are the specific types of experimental studies that, depending on their design and implementation (                    *e.g.,*                     sample attrition in randomized controlled trials and regression discontinuity design studies), can meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards without reservations as described in the WWC Handbooks:                

(i) A randomized controlled trial employs random assignment of, for example, students, teachers, classrooms, or schools to receive the project component being evaluated (the treatment group) or not to receive the project component (the control group).

                    (ii) A regression discontinuity design study assigns the project component being evaluated using a measured variable (                    *e.g.,*                     assigning students reading below a cutoff score to tutoring or developmental education classes) and controls for that variable in the analysis of outcomes.                

                    (iii) A single-case design study uses observations of a single case (                    *e.g.,*                     a                           ( print page 38057)                        student eligible for a behavioral intervention) over time in the absence and presence of a controlled treatment manipulation to determine whether the outcome is systematically related to the treatment.                

*Logic model*                     (also referred to as a theory of action) means a framework that identifies key project components of the proposed project (                    *i.e.,*                     the active “ingredients” that are hypothesized to be critical to achieving the relevant outcomes) and describes the theoretical and operational relationships among the key project components and relevant outcomes.                

*Moderate evidence*                     means that there is evidence of effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome for a sample that overlaps with the populations or settings proposed to receive that component, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:                

(i) A practice guide prepared by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks reporting a “strong evidence base” or “moderate evidence base” for the corresponding practice guide recommendation;

(ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks reporting a “positive effect” or “potentially positive effect” on a relevant outcome based on a “medium to large” extent of evidence, with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially negative effect” on a relevant outcome; or

(iii) A single experimental study or quasi-experimental design study reviewed and reported by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks, or otherwise assessed by the Department using version 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks, as appropriate, and that—

(A) Meets WWC standards with or without reservations;

                    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive (                    *i.e.,*                     favorable) effect on a relevant outcome;                

(C) Includes no overriding statistically significant and negative effects on relevant outcomes reported in the study or in a corresponding WWC intervention report prepared under version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks; and

                    (D) Is based on a sample from more than one site (                    *e.g.,*                     State, county, city, school district, or postsecondary campus) and includes at least 350 students or other individuals across sites. Multiple studies of the same project component that each meet requirements in paragraphs (iii)(A), (B), and (C) of this definition may together satisfy the requirement in this paragraph (iii)(D).                

*Project component*                     means an activity, strategy, intervention, process, product, practice, or policy included in a project. Evidence may pertain to an individual project component or to a combination of project components (                    *e.g.,*                     training teachers on instructional practices for English learners and follow-on coaching for these teachers).                

*Promising evidence*                     means that there is evidence of the effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:                

(i) A practice guide prepared by WWC reporting a “strong evidence base” or “moderate evidence base” for the corresponding practice guide recommendation;

(ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC reporting a “positive effect” or “potentially positive effect” on a relevant outcome with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially negative effect” on a relevant outcome; or

(iii) A single study assessed by the Department, as appropriate, that—

                    (A) Is an experimental study, a quasi-experimental design study, or a well-designed and well-implemented correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias (                    *e.g.,*                     a study using regression methods to account for differences between a treatment group and a comparison group); and                

                    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive (                    *i.e.,*                     favorable) effect on a relevant outcome.                

*Quasi-experimental design study*                     means a study using a design that attempts to approximate an experimental study by identifying a comparison group that is similar to the treatment group in important respects. This type of study, depending on design and implementation (                    *e.g.,*                     establishment of baseline equivalence of the groups being compared), can meet WWC standards with reservations, but cannot meet WWC standards without reservations, as described in the WWC Handbooks.                

*Relevant outcome*                     means the student outcome(s) or other outcome(s) the key project component is designed to improve, consistent with the specific goals of the program.                

*Strong evidence*                     means that there is evidence of the effectiveness of a key project component in improving a relevant outcome for a sample that overlaps with the populations and settings proposed to receive that component, based on a relevant finding from one of the following:                

(i) A practice guide prepared by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks reporting a “strong evidence base” for the corresponding practice guide recommendation;

(ii) An intervention report prepared by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks reporting a “positive effect” on a relevant outcome based on a “medium to large” extent of evidence, with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially negative effect” on a relevant outcome; or

(iii) A single experimental study reviewed and reported by the WWC using version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks, or otherwise assessed by the Department using version 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks, as appropriate, and that—

(A) Meets WWC standards without reservations;

                    (B) Includes at least one statistically significant and positive (                    *i.e.,*                     favorable) effect on a relevant outcome;                

(C) Includes no overriding statistically significant and negative effects on relevant outcomes reported in the study or in a corresponding WWC intervention report prepared under version 2.1, 3.0, 4.0, or 4.1 of the WWC Handbooks; and

                    (D) Is based on a sample from more than one site (                    *e.g.,*                     State, county, city, school district, or postsecondary campus) and includes at least 350 students or other individuals across sites. Multiple studies of the same project component that each meet requirements in paragraphs (iii)(A), (B), and (C) of this definition may together satisfy the requirement in this paragraph (iii)(D).                

*What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Handbooks (WWC Handbooks)*                     means the standards and procedures set forth in the WWC Standards Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, and WWC Procedures Handbook, Versions 4.0 or 4.1, or in the WWC Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 3.0 or Version 2.1 (all incorporated by reference, see § 77.2). Study findings eligible for review under WWC standards can meet WWC standards without reservations, meet WWC standards with reservations, or not meet WWC standards. WWC practice guides and intervention reports include findings from systematic reviews of evidence as described in the WWC Handbooks documentation.                

*Program Authority:*                     Section 2233 of the ESEA, 20 U.S.C. 6663.                

*Note:*                     Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner consistent with the nondiscrimination                           ( print page 38058)                        requirements contained in the Federal civil rights laws.                

*Applicable Regulations:*                     (a) The Education Department General Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, and 99. (b) The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.                

*Note:*                     The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of higher education only.                

## II. Award Information

*Type of Award:*                     Discretionary grants.                

*Estimated Available Funds:*                     $2,150,000.                

Contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of applications, we may make additional awards in subsequent years from the list of unfunded applications from this competition.

*Estimated Range of Awards:*                     $300,000-$500,000 per year.                

*Estimated Average Size of Awards:*                     $400,000 per year.                

*Maximum Award:*                     We will not make an award exceeding $500,000 to any applicant per 12-month budget period. The Department plans to fully fund awards made under this notice with FY 2021 funds.                

*Estimated Number of Awards:*                     2-3.                

*Note:*                     The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.                

*Project Period:*                     Up to 36 months, with renewal of up to an additional 24 months.                

## III. Eligibility Information

                    1.                     *Eligible Applicants:*                     An institution of higher education or other nonprofit or for-profit organization with demonstrated expertise in the development of evidence-based approaches with the potential to improve the quality of American history, civics and government, or geography learning and teaching.                

*Note:*                     If multiple eligible entities wish to form a consortium and jointly submit a single application, they must follow the procedures for group applications described in 34 CFR 75.127 through 34 CFR 75.129.                

*Note:*                     If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.                

                    2.a.                     *Cost Sharing or Matching:*                     This program does not require any cost sharing or matching.                

                    b.                     *Supplement-Not-Supplant:*                     This program involves supplement-not-supplant funding requirements. In accordance with section 2301 of the ESEA, funds made available under this program must be used to supplement, and not supplant, other non-Federal funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out activities under this program.                

                    c.                     *Indirect Cost Rate Information:*                     This program uses a training indirect cost rate. This limits indirect cost reimbursement to an entity's actual indirect costs, as determined in its negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, or eight percent of a modified total direct cost base, whichever amount is less. For more information regarding training indirect cost rates, see 34 CFR 75.562. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please see                     *www2.ed.gov/​about/​offices/​list/​ocfo/​intro.html.*

                    d.                     *Administrative Cost Limitation:*                     This program does not include any program-specific limitation on administrative expenses. All administrative expenses must be reasonable and necessary and conform to Cost Principles described in 2 CFR part 200 subpart E of the Uniform Guidance.                

                    3.                     *Subgrantees:*                     A grantee under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.                

## IV. Application and Submission Information

                    1.                     *Application Submission Instructions:*                     Applicants are required to follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the                     **Federal Register**                     on February 13, 2019 (84 FR 3768) and available at                     *www.govinfo.gov/​content/​pkg/​FR-2019-02-13/​pdf/​2019-02206.pdf,*                     which contain requirements and information on how to submit an application.                

                    2.                     *Submission of Proprietary Information:*                     Given the types of projects that may be proposed in applications for the AHC-NA program, your application may include business information that you consider proprietary. In 34 CFR 5.11, we define “business information” and describe the process we use in determining whether any of that information is proprietary and, thus, protected from disclosure under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552, as amended).                

Because we plan to make successful applications available to the public, you may wish to request confidentiality of business information.

Consistent with Executive Order 12600, please designate in your application any information that you believe is exempt from disclosure under Exemption 4. In the appropriate Appendix section of your application, under “Other Attachments Form,” please list the page number or numbers on which we can find this information. For additional information please see 34 CFR 5.11(c).

                    3.                     *Intergovernmental Review:*                     This program is subject to Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79. Information about Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs under Executive Order 12372 is in the application package for this competition. Please note that, under 34 CFR 79.8(a), we have shortened the standard 60-day intergovernmental review period in order to make awards by the end of FY 2021.                

                    4.                     *Funding Restrictions:*                     We specify unallowable costs in 2 CFR 200, subpart E. We reference additional regulations outlining funding restrictions in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice.                

                    5.                     *Recommended Page Limit:*                     The application narrative is where you, the applicant, address the selection criteria that reviewers use to evaluate your application. We recommend that you (1) limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and (2) use the following standards:                
    - A “page” is 8.5″ x 11″, on one side only, with 1″ margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.
    - Double space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles,       ( print page 38059)                          headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs.                
    - Use a font that is either 12 point or larger or no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).
    - Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

Furthermore, applicants are strongly encouraged to include a table of contents that specifies where each required part of the application is located.

                    6.                     *Notice of Intent to Apply:*                     The Department will be able to develop a more efficient process for reviewing grant applications if it has a better understanding of the number of entities that intend to apply for funding under this competition. Therefore, the Secretary strongly encourages each potential applicant to notify the Department of its intent to submit an application. To do so, please email the program contact person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     with the subject line “Intent to Apply,” and include the applicant's name and a contact person's name and email address.                

## V. Application Review Information

                    1.                     *Selection Criteria:*                     The selection criteria for this program are from 34 CFR 75.210. An applicant may earn up to a total of 100 points based on the selection criteria. The maximum score for addressing each criterion is indicated in parentheses.                

                    (a)                     *Quality of the project design.*                     (30 points)                

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the design of the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the design of the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a rationale.

(ii) The extent to which the proposed project represents an exceptional approach to the priority or priorities established for the competition.

                    (b)                     *Need for project.*                     (20 points)                

(1) The Secretary considers the need for the proposed project.

(2) In determining the need for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The magnitude or severity of the problem to be addressed by the proposed project.

(ii) The extent to which specific gaps or weaknesses in services, infrastructure, or opportunities have been identified and will be addressed by the proposed project, including the nature and magnitude of those gaps or weaknesses.

(iii) The extent to which the proposed project will focus on serving or otherwise addressing the needs of disadvantaged individuals.

(iv) The extent to which the proposed project is likely to build local capacity to provide, improve, or expand services that address the needs of the target population.

                    (c)                     *Quality of the management plan.*                     (20 points)                

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the management plan for the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the management plan for the proposed project, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The adequacy of the management plan to achieve the objectives of the proposed project on time and within budget, including clearly defined responsibilities, timelines, and milestones for accomplishing project tasks.

(ii) The adequacy of procedures for ensuring feedback and continuous improvement in the operation of the proposed project.

                    (d)                     *Quality of the project evaluation.*                     (30 points)                

(1) The Secretary considers the quality of the evaluation to be conducted of the proposed project.

(2) In determining the quality of the evaluation, the Secretary considers the following factors:

(i) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will provide performance feedback and permit periodic assessment of progress toward achieving intended outcomes. (10 points)

(ii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation will, if well implemented, produce promising evidence (as defined in this notice) about the project's effectiveness. (10 points)

(iii) The extent to which the methods of evaluation provide for examining the effectiveness of project implementation strategies. (5 points)

(iv) The extent to which the evaluation will provide guidance about effective strategies suitable for replication or testing in other settings. (5 points)

                    2.                     *Review and Selection Process:*                     We remind potential applicants that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, the Secretary may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's use of funds, achievement of project objectives, and compliance with grant conditions. The Secretary may also consider whether the applicant failed to submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of unacceptable quality.                

In addition, in making a competitive grant award, the Secretary requires various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

                    3.                     *Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions:*                     Consistent with 2 CFR 200.206, before awarding grants under this competition the Department conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 200.208, the Secretary may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not responsible.                

                    4.                     *Integrity and Performance System:*                     If you are selected under this competition to receive an award that over the course of the project period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards—that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant—before we make an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.                

Please note that, if the total value of your currently active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the Federal government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, Appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

                    5.                     *In General:*                     In accordance with OMB's guidance located at 2 CFR part 200, all applicable Federal laws, and relevant Executive guidance, the                           ( print page 38060)                        Department will review and consider applications for funding pursuant to this notice inviting applications in accordance with—                

(a) Selecting recipients most likely to be successful in delivering results based on the program objectives through an objective process of evaluating Federal award applications (2 CFR 200.205);

(b) Prohibiting the purchase of certain telecommunication and video surveillance services or equipment in alignment with section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) (2 CFR 200.216);

(c) Providing a preference, to the extent permitted by law, to maximize use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States (2 CFR 200.322); and

(d) Terminating agreements in whole or in part to the greatest extent authorized by law if an award no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities (2 CFR 200.340).

## VI. Award Administration Information

                    1.                     *Award Notices:*                     If your application is successful, we notify your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to access an electronic version of your GAN. We may notify you informally, also.                

If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, we notify you.

                    2.                     *Administrative and National Policy Requirements:*                     We identify administrative and national policy requirements in the application package and reference these and other requirements in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice.                

                    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of an award in the                     *Applicable Regulations*                     section of this notice and include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also incorporates your approved application as part of your binding commitments under the grant.                

                    3.                     *Open Licensing Requirements:*                     Unless an exception applies, if you are awarded a grant under this competition, you will be required to openly license to the public grant deliverables created in whole, or in part, with Department grant funds. When the deliverable consists of modifications to pre-existing works, the license must extend only to those modifications that can be separately identified and only to the extent that open licensing is permitted under the terms of any licenses or other legal restrictions on the use of pre-existing works. Additionally, a grantee or subgrantee that is awarded competitive grant funds must have a plan to disseminate these public grant deliverables. This dissemination plan can be developed and submitted after your application has been reviewed and selected for funding. For additional information on the open licensing requirements please refer to 2 CFR 3474.20.                

                    4.                     *Reporting:*                     (a) If you apply for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).                

                    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to                     *www.ed.gov/​fund/​grant/​apply/​appforms/​appforms.html.*

(c) Under 34 CFR 75.250(b), the Secretary may provide a grantee with additional funding for data collection analysis and reporting. In this case the Secretary establishes a data collection period.

                    5.                     *Performance Measures:*                     The Department has established the following Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA) performance objective for the AHC-NA Program: Participants will demonstrate through pre- and post-assessments an increased understanding of American history, civics and government, and geography.                

For purposes of GPRA and Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, we will track performance on this objective through the following measure: The average percentage gain on an assessment after participation in the grant activities.

We advise an applicant for a grant under this program to give careful consideration to this measure in conceptualizing the approach to, and evaluation of, its proposed project. Each grantee will be required to provide, in its annual and final performance reports, data about its performance with respect to this measure.

                    6.                     *Continuation Awards:*                     In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 75.253, the Secretary considers, among other things: Whether a grantee has made substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is consistent with its approved application and budget; whether the grantee has met the required non-Federal cost share or matching requirement; and, if the Secretary has established performance measurement requirements, the performance targets in the grantee's approved application.                

In making a continuation award, the Secretary also considers whether the grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

## VII. Other Information

*Accessible Format:*                     On request to the program contact person listed under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    , individuals with disabilities can obtain this document and a copy of the application package in an accessible format. The Department will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 file, braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc, or other accessible format.                

*Electronic Access to This Document:*                     The official version of this document is the document published in the                     **Federal Register**                    . You may access the official edition of the                     **Federal Register**                     and the Code of Federal Regulations at:                     *www.govinfo.gov.*                     At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department published in the                     **Federal Register***,*                     in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site.                

                    You may also access documents of the Department published in the                     **Federal Register**                     by using the article search feature at:                     *www.federalregister.gov.*                     Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department.                

Ian Rosenblum,

                        Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Programs                         *Delegated the authority to perform the functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.*

[FR Doc. 2021-15365 Filed 7-16-21; 8:45 am]

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